-(으)니까
Used to provide a subjective reason or justification for an action, suggestion, or command.
Summary
Equivalent
Because / Since
Also: -아/어서 (Because) · -기 때문에 (Because)
Example
Since the weather is cold, please dress warmly.
날씨가 추우니까 따뜻하게 입으세요.
Grammar rules
- Unlike '-아/어서', it CAN and MUST be used when making suggestions (-(으)ㅂ시다), giving commands (-(으)세요), or making proposals (-(으)ㄹ까요?).
- It can also be combined with past/future tense markers (e.g., 먹었으니까).
- Only '-아/어서' is natural for expressing apologies/gratitude. '늦으니까 죄송합니다' (X) -> '늦어서 죄송합니다' (O).
비가 오니까 우산을 가져가세요. (Since it is raining, please take an umbrella.)
Patterns
Verbs/Adjectives (Consonant)
Present/Past/Future · Stem + 으니까
Verbs/Adjectives (Vowel/ㄹ)
Present/Past/Future · Stem (drop ㄹ) + 니까
Nouns
Present · Noun + (이)니까
Example sentences
Since the weather is cold, please dress warmly.
날씨가 추우니까 따뜻하게 입으세요.
Since I will help you, please don't worry.
제가 도와줄 테니까 걱정하지 마세요.
We don't have time, so let's take a taxi.
시간이 없으니까 택시를 탑시다.
Conversation
A: Shall we watch a movie tomorrow?
내일 영화 볼까요?
B: Since I'm busy tomorrow, let's watch it on the weekend.
내일은 바쁘니까 주말에 봐요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct form indicating a supportive reason for a command/suggestion.
Distance.
Tense.